How Many Credits for an MBA? Survey Results
Based on an international survey of MBA degrees from the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, most MBA programs require between 30 and 60 credit hours or estimated equivalents. An MBA generally ranges from one to two years of full-time study, or the part-time equivalent.
The length of MBA degrees has become more standardized and comparable with the rise of online MBA programs. A common Australian online MBA format requires 24 months of continuous part-time study, amounting to an estimated 36 credit hours. Programs with larger credit requirements are often full-time, on-campus degrees that extend up to 2 years.
Key Findings
The survey by Lerna Courses examined 100 MBA programs across the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It highlights credit hour requirements and program lengths, giving a snapshot of the differences in course structures.
Credit range for MBA programs
MBA programs typically require between 30 and 60 credit hours or estimated equivalents. Program lengths generally range from one to two years of full-time study. The same range applies to both online and on-campus programs, although some exceed 60 credits.
Typical online MBA length
Many Australian online MBAs span 24 months of part-time study and require 12 subjects, equivalent to an estimated 36 credit hours. Online MBA courses often follow a continuous study model, with short study blocks and few long breaks.
On-campus program variation
On-campus MBA programs vary in credit requirements. In Australia, 12 subjects over 3 semesters is common, equivalent to an estimated 36 credit hours. Elsewhere, you’ll often find 12-month accelerated programs or 2-year immersive ones.
Extended programs
At the upper end, MBAs requiring 60 credits or more are often full-time, on-campus programs. Longer MBA degrees often take up to 2 years to complete and may include internships or specializations.
MBA Credit Hours Observations
Credit requirements for a random selection of 21 out of 100 programs are shown here. Since we were mainly interested in the range, this sample includes a mix of course types. Most listed programs fall within the 30-60 credit range, although some current requirements exceed it. International figures are survey equivalents unless university credit units are specified.
1. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (US)
Credits required: 30
Type: Online MBA. Add 6 credit hours for a Concentration.
https://online.tamucc.edu/degrees/business/mba/
2. East Carolina University (US)
Credits required: 33, or up to 54 if foundation courses are required
Type: Online MBA
https://business.ecu.edu/grad/mba-degrees/
3. Emporia State University (US)
Credits required: 33
Type: Online MBA
https://online.emporia.edu/degrees/business/mba/general/
4. Fayetteville State University (US)
Credits required: 36 (or more depending on concentration)
Type: Online MBA
Program details
5. JCU Online (Australia)
Credits required: 36 (survey equivalent; 36 JCU credit points in the 2024 handbook)
Type: Online MBA
JCU Online MBA (Global) handbook
6. Franklin University (US)
Credits required: 36
Type: Online MBA
https://www.franklin.edu/degrees/masters/mba-programs/mba
7. SCU Online MBA (Australia)
Credits required: 36 (survey equivalent for the 12-unit route after advanced standing)
Type: Online MBA
SCU Online MBA
8. UTS Online (Australia)
Credits required: 36 credit hours equivalent (72 UTS credit points)
Type: Online MBA
UTS Online MBA
9. Durham University (UK)
Credits required: 36 (survey equivalent)
Type: Online MBA
https://www.dur.ac.uk/business/courses/business-administration-online-n1t717/
10. University of Edinburgh Business School (UK)
Credits required: 36 (survey equivalent)
Type: Full-time, on-campus MBA
https://www.business-school.ed.ac.uk/mba/full-time
11. University of Warwick (UK)
Credits required: 36 (survey equivalent)
Type: Online MBA
https://www.wbs.ac.uk/courses/mba/global-online/
12. University of Central Florida (US)
Credits required: 39
Type: Part-time, on-campus Professional MBA
https://business.ucf.edu/degree/professional-mba-part-time/
13. Xavier University (US)
Credits required: 39 to 48
Type: Online or full-time MBA, extra credit hours when foundation skills not waived
https://www.xavier.edu/master-of-business-administration/
14. INSEAD Global Executive MBA (France/Singapore/Abu Dhabi)
Credits required: 45 (original survey estimate; current credit total not reconfirmed)
Type: Executive MBA
https://www.insead.edu/master-programmes/global-executive-mba
15. Athabasca University (Canada)
Credits required: 48 maximum
Type: Online MBA
https://www.athabascau.ca/programs/summary/master-of-business-administration.html
16. RMIT Online (Australia)
Credits required: 48 maximum (survey equivalent for 16 subjects)
Type: Online MBA
RMIT Online MBA
17. University of Nebraska-Lincoln (US)
Credits required: 48
Type: Online MBA
https://business.unl.edu/mba/
18. Southern Methodist University (US)
Credits required: 71
Type: Full-time, on-campus MBA
https://www.smu.edu/cox/business-degrees/mba-programs/two-year-mba
19. University of Melbourne (Australia)
Credits required: 52.5 (survey equivalent for 17.5 subjects)
Type: Online MBA
MBS Online MBA
20. Columbia Business School (US)
Credits required: 60
Type: Full-time, on-campus MBA
https://academics.business.columbia.edu/admissions/mba
21. University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management (Canada)
Credits required: 11.3 full-course equivalents (University of Toronto credit system)
Type: Full-time, on-campus MBA, including an opportunity for a 4-month paid internship
https://www.rotman.utoronto.ca/programs/mba-programs/full-time-mba/
How Long is an MBA?
The length of an MBA ranges from just under 12 months up to 2 years of full-time study.
| Credit hours | Subjects at 3 credits each | Approximate years of full-time study* |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 10 | 1 |
| 36 | 12 | 1 – 1.5 |
| 48 | 16 | 1.5 – 2 |
| 60 | 20 | 2 |
* Higher study loads or more continuous study affect duration.
On the lower end, 30 credits correspond with 10 subjects, which can be completed over 3 semesters (a year of continuous study) or 20 months of part-time study.
At the upper end are full-time MBA programs that require 2 years of attendance. A 60-credit program is equivalent to 20 three-credit subjects. However, these degrees typically combine coursework with other experiences, such as internships, consulting projects, or global study tours.
Methodology
Lerna Courses sampled 100 Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs primarily from four countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. We only considered degrees where the time requirements were clearly detailed.
A credit hour is a measure of academic load. Mainly used in the US, it is typically considered to be one hour of classroom instruction per week over a 15-week semester plus additional time for study and assignments. A single subject completed over a semester or study period usually represents 3 credit hours.
Each credit hour corresponds to a minimum of 3 hours of student engagement per week for a traditional 14-week course or 6 hours per week for a 7-week course.
For this survey, a year of full-time continuous study was estimated as 36 credit hours (12 subjects completed over 3 semesters). International equivalents are comparison estimates, not formal credit-transfer conversions.
Each MBA program was reviewed and assigned a credit amount. Figures quoted by the university, college, or business school were used when available. We selected one program and study option from each provider, including a mix of course types.
Variation in MBA Length
MBA programs vary in length depending on whether they are offered online or on-campus. The duration of study and the number of credit hours required can differ significantly between these formats.
Online courses
A common Australian online MBA format is 24 months of part-time study, during which the student completes 12 subjects (an estimated 36 credit hours).
Online study is typically continuous, meaning there isn’t a long break of multiple months at any stage. Often, distance education consists of one subject per study block of 6-7 weeks, with 6 study blocks available per year.
A 12-subject online course is relatively short at an estimated 36 credit hours. MBA course length may be extended for two main reasons. The first is to enable the participant to earn a concentration or major by completing extra units on a specialised topic. Additionally, students who lack a business background, such as a business bachelor degree, may be required to complete extra credits in foundation or preparatory courses.
Related: Is an Online MBA Worth It?
On-campus courses
On-campus MBA programs vary in credit requirements. In Australia, 12 subjects is common, usually spread over 3 semesters, lasting around 1.5 years and equivalent to an estimated 36 credit hours. In other countries, 12-month accelerated and 2-year immersive programs are more prevalent.
Longer on-campus programs may include extra electives, more extensive coursework, and opportunities for specialization. Campus-based MBAs often incorporate additional study periods or projects that extend the time required for completion.
